Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Clays (family of 2 soon to be 3)!  This is the last Christmas the hubby and I will have just the 2 of us, and I'm going to soak it all in and relax as much as possible.  It's crazy how fast time flies and I can't believe our little babe will be here in a couple of weeks!  Ahh!  Are you ever ready for such a big change?  We are excited (and a little nervous), but we know it's going to be wonderful.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and get to spend time with the ones you love!

XOXO,

Lauren, Daniel and Bebe Clay

via here

A Simple Christmas

This year I am all about simplicity for the holidays.  Partly due to the fact that I'm almost 9 months pregnant and partly due to the fact that we're moving and my house is in boxes as we speak.  Somehow we always end up moving around Thanksgiving or Christmas, and we're bound to get out of this cycle on our next move.  (Which won't be for some time if it's up to me!)

With all the stress going on right now with work, holidays, moving, schedules and baby, I'm sticking to a simple (and I mean SIMPLE) Christmas.  And I'm loving all the Pinterest inspiration I'm finding to help me along in the process.

The hubby has been great about helping me to focus on what really matters because this is such a special time for us, but the type A personality in me wants everything done and done perfectly.  I'm having to let go and just take one day at a time, and that's really all we can do, right?

What do you have going on this season?  Is it crazy like it is here and you are ditching the over-the-top decor?  Or are you settled and decking out everything you can for this joyous season?

via here 

Thankful

It has been a stressful time here lately, but I'm so thankful for my amazing husband, who I love more than anything, and this perfect little babe growing inside me.  My heart is full!

Memorial Day

So grateful for today and for all the people who gave their lives to make our country possible.

via here

Valentine Wrapping

The week of love is upon us, and I can't help but be giddy.  I know Valentine's is typically a "spoil your lady" kind of holiday, but I always like to do/get a little something special for the hubby.  (I'm a complete sap when it comes to love!)

And this year I might even try this cute wrapping paper idea?  (Love it so much!)  And even though it's probably more for me than the hubby (he doesn't get as excited about package presentation as I do) I know he'll enjoy it.  (It's the thought and effort that goes into a present...right?)

via here

A Personal Note About The Holidays

Holidays are always cheery and merry, right?  I don't know about you, but that's not so much the case for me.  As a child of divorce, holidays were always filled with mixed emotions.  If I was with my mom, I felt guilty about not being with my dad, and if I was with my dad, I felt guilty about not being with my mom.  And then I hated traveling back and forth and trying to please everyone.  It's hard and a tough situation for everyone involved even though I love my family very much.

This year is a little different.  It will be the first Christmas since my dad passed away this summer.  Although we had an estranged relationship for many years and the holidays were always difficult for me, the emotions are hitting me differently this year.  I can be fine and moving along just as normal one minute, and then BAM - sadness hits me.  Sadness followed by guilt.  Guilt of so many things that are/were out of my control. 

Most of the time I like to shove my feelings deep down so that I won't have to face them, but I've learned over the years that this is not the best line of defense.  I don't think there is anything wrong with feeling sad around the holidays, but I do think it's wrong to dwell in that.  Christmas is about so much more.  It's about hope.  Surely we can shift our focus off the things of this world and onto the precious gift of Jesus.  

It may seem so elementary, but I have to remind myself of that often.  I have to tell myself to not get so wrapped up in situations and feelings.  Christmas is a joyous time no matter what we have going on in our life.  It's a time to celebrate and rejoice.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

photo via here

Crafty Weekend

My DIY project this weekend is to re-create the adorable snow globes from Anthropologie.  Surely they can't be too hard, but we'll see.  I have been wanting them for quite some time, but can't bring myself to pay $40 when I could make them for $5.  I'll let you know if it's a success!

Is anyone else crafting this weekend?

A Holiday Rue

A holiday issue of Rue?  Um, yes please!  I know what I'll be doing the rest of the morning.  Those lights are straight after my own heart!  I would have lights everywhere . . . if it weren't a fire hazard.

Just as a side note, one of my favorite times of the whole week is waking up on Saturday morning enjoying my breakfast and browsing pinterest, my fave blogs or online magazines.  It's pretty great and gives me that much needed downtime.  What are some of the highlights of your week?  Do share, so we all can join in!

And a little confession, we still don't have our tree up or any Christmas decorations.  I need to get on it!

Dan and Me

While we were at my parents' house for Thanksgiving, I had the brilliant idea to go out in the backyard and take some pictures.  (The hubby wasn't as willing as I was, but he obliged as any loving husband would.) 

Although most of the pictures (small sampling above) turned out goofy and odd quirky, they happen to be some of my faves!  (I would so use that first one as our Christmas card if the hubby would let me, but he's not as big of a fan as I am.) 

I love that it shows Daniel's goofy side.  (Don't let that gorgeous face fool you, he's a full fledged goofball 98% of the time!)  A lot of times I complain that he's "always joking around" and "not taking things seriously," but the truth is that I LOVE that he makes me laugh so much.  There's not much that can turn your bad day around like a good 'ole belly laugh with your best friend and love of your life.

Thankful

 

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!"

Psalm 118:1 ESV

So much to be thankful for today and everyday.

image via here

Who's ready for pie?

One day away from Thanksgiving, and one day away from pie!  I don't tend to eat it very much throughout the year, but once the holidays come around, I'm all in.  It's one of my faves, and I tend to get a little excited about it.  (Ok, a lot excited about it! One, no two, slices minimum.)

Doesn't this chocolate and hazelnut pie look delish from What Katie Ate?  Too bad I'm allergic to nuts, or I would be making this in a heartbeat.

On a more serious note, the holidays are about far more than food and pie.  I sometimes get wrapped up in all the details that I overlook the simple truth and point of the holidays.  (Does that ever happen to you?) 

I'm thankful for my faith, my family, my health, my friends and all my other blessings that are far too many to list here.  Hope you have a great Thanksgiving full of gratitude.

pie via here

Confession 010: Holiday Goodies

Holiday season is quickly approaching, and one of the first things my mind goes to are the goodies.  I tell myself that I will be "good" and only allow myself a couple of cheat days with a couple of treats.  But then as soon as the holiday cookies get busted out, I lose all self control.  A couple of days turns into everyday, and a couple of treats turns into every cookie in sight.

Why is it that just because a treat is a "holiday treat" it becomes even more desirable?  (This has to be a marketing scheme - has to!)  I find myself eating things that I don't even really like, but somehow can't turn down.  Can anyone else relate, or am I the only undisciplined one around here?

Time to start squeezing in the extra workouts.

via here and here

Happy 4th!

Dressing the part!

via here

Color Me Valentine

I'm more of an orange-y red type of girl!  Always have been, probably always will be!

via my pinterest boards

Happy New Year

... well, not quite yet!  But that's what we'll be shouting tonight!

pinterest

The Exhaustion

All the holiday madness and going back to work this week have left me utterly exhausted!  I'm enjoying this time, but man will I be glad when everything settles back down to normal.

pinterest

It's A Merry Time!

Are you ready for Christmas?  Well, whether you are ready or not, it's a comin'!  I truly can't believe Christmas is a little over a week away - ahh!  I still have so much shopping to do and absolutely do not want to be caught at the mall, but I might not have a choice!  We'll see if I can find a way to avoid it.  Is anyone done shopping yet?

It's A-Gettin' Cold Outside

Brr!  It is definitely a little chilly outside, and that is something we are not used to here in Texas.  We finished putting up our Christmas decorations last night, but I'm thinking that I might get a little crafty and do some more decor-makin' here in the next couple of days.  Something along the lines of this homemade garland - you like?  Nothing like getting crafty for the holidays!  I'll keep you updated!

via pinterest

PS - I'm loving this fireplace!  And I know the hubby would kill for that vintage American flag - Christmas present idea?!

PSS - Phone in the fireplace - LOVE!

Fancy

I always want to get "all dolled up" when the holidays come around.  Anyone else?  I think there's something in the air.  Give me a sequined dress, dramatic hair and make up, and I'm good to go! 

via fgr